7.0.3 - Background services running, but MC says they're not

Win7 fully updated, MC 7.0.3 (with Symphony option) installed after completely uninstalling Sym 6.0.5

ALL Avid background services are running, foreground transccode/consolidate works, AMA files work ok.

BUT:

Right click in bin, select AMA Link -> 'Background services are not running'

Tools/Dynamic media folder -> 'Background services are not running'

Tools/Background services -> Says Service IS running.

Also, trying to stop the service (by any method) doesn't work. It just hangs...

Already tried reinstalling twice, with thorough clean-up. Is MC7 really this buggy?

Any suggestions?